They might be calling it “Midtown Village” now, but to Philadelphia’s GLBT residents, the Washington Square West area will always be “The Gayborhood.”

The area, located roughly between Sansom and Spruce, from about 10th to 13th Street, has most of the city’s bars and a plethora of gay-owned shops. More recently, it’s also become a dining mecca, with the last five years seeing a major boom in gourmet choices.

t’s a still-developing scene, and as we go to press two promising places are joining the already-impressive lineup: Jamonera (the third restaurant project by Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, the lesbian couple who also owns Barbuzzo, Lolita, and several retail outlets on 13th Street), and gay-owned Walnut Street Supper Club, with a pleasantly retro atmosphere, talented singer/servers, and well-regarded Chef Anthony Mignona.